Concealed slide fastener



April 27, 1965 H. cLAuss CONCEALED SLIDE FASTENER Filed Sept. 3. 1963INVEN TOR; Harry Clau ss 3,179,996 CONCEALED SLIDE FASTENER HarryClauss, Unterpfaenhofen, near Munich, Germany, assigner to Ries G.m.b.H.Bekleidungsverschlussfabrik, Unterpfaenllofen, near Munich, GermanyFiled Sept. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 306,233 Claims. (Cl. 24-20S.1)

This invention relates to slide fasteners, and more particularly to aslide fastener in which two rows of interlocking elements are fastenedto respective supporting tapes, and the interlocking elements arelargely hidden from View by the tapes. The rows are engaged anddisengaged by a longitudinally traveling slider.

In a known slide fastener of this type, a row of interlocking slidefastener elements mounted on a carrier is woven into one selvage of thetape and is retained by filling threads which pass between adjacentelements and are looped about the carrier. The outer Ifaces of theelement legs are covered by warp threads interlaced with the fillingthreads.

The slider of the afore-described known fastener travels over thethreads of the tape during opening and closing of the fastener. Becauseof the inherent resiliency of of the textile material interposed betweenthe slider and the interlocking elements, the position o-f the silderrelative to the interlocking elements is not as precisely fixed as isdesirable. The pressure of the slider also causes relatively rapid wearof those tape threads which are interposed between the hard surfaces ofthe slider and of the elements during opening and closing of thefastener.

The object of the inven-tion is the provision of a slide fastener of thegeneral type discussed above in which the slider is precisely guided onthe interlocking elements.

Another object is the provision of a slide fastener in which wear of thetextile threads of the tape by the moving slider is reduced or avoided.

A more specific object is the provision of a slide fastener in which theslider is guided on the interlocking elements themselves although theouter leg faces of the elements are covered with integral portions ofthe supporting tape.

With these and other objects in view, the invention in one of itsaspects resides in a slide fastener which includes a support such as atape constituted by warp members and filling members. A carrier for theinterlocking elements is woven into one Iselvage of the tape. Theinterlocking elements are longitudinally spaced on the carrier. Theirhead parts extend transversely of the carrier, and their leg partsproject from opposite end portions of the head part in a commondirection. The legs have inner faces directed toward each other andconformingly receiving the carrier in respective grooves, and outerfaces facing in opposite directions. At least one of the outer faces isinwardly offset relative to the associated end portion of the head partso that the latter projects beyond the face. A toe part projects fromthe terminal portion of each leg part. The offset .outer leg faceabuttingly engages warp members of the selvage, and the filling membersare interlaced with these Warp members between adjacent interlockingmembers, and are looped about the carrier.

Other features and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an interlocking element of the slide fastener of theinvention and the associated carrier in a front elevational, partlysectional view;

FIG. 2 shows the carrier of FIG. 1 with several attached interlockingelements in side elevation;

FIG. 3 shows a slide fastener Stringer including the carrier andinterlocking elements of FIG. 2 in a front elevational view in sectiontaken between two adjacent interlocking elements, a portion of thesupporting take being broken away;

FIG. 4 shows the Stringer of FIG. 3 in fragmentary side elevation; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side-elevational View of the tape selvage portionomitted from the showing of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and originally to FIG. l, thereis shown a twisted cord 1 on which an interlocking element 30 isfastened. The element 30 illustrated consists of metal, and it isfastened to the cord 1 -by the clamping pressure of its two leg parts 2,2 in the usual manner. The leg parts 2, 2 are connected by a head part15 which extends transversely of the cord 1. A projecting centralportion 15 of the head part engages a recess in a head part of the otherStringer in the closed position of the fastener as is usual.

The terminal portions 15a of the head part 15 project laterally beyondthe outer faces 24 of the legs 2, 2. The ends of the legs 2, 2 carryoutwardly projecting toe parts 16, 1'7 so that the terminal portions15a, the outer faces 24, and the toe parts 16, 17 define shallow,relatively short and wide notches in the respective legs 2, 2. As seen-in FIG. 2, the notches are aligned in the direction of elongation ofthe fastener Stringer. The inner faces of the legs 2, 2 are groovedconformingly to receive the carrier 1.

The carrier 1 with the elements 30 clamped thereon is woven into a tape3 of which a central longitudinal portion 4 and a split selvage are seenin FIG. 3. The selvage consists of two flaps 5, 6 the warp members ofwhich engage the aligned notches in the outer faces of Ithe legs 2, 2respectively and thereby conceal the interlocking elements with theexception of the head parts 15 and the toe parts 16, 17. The centraltape portion 4, the selvage war-p members in the aps 5, 6, and thecarrier 1 with the interlocking members 30 are connected by the fillingmembers of the fabric.

The tape fabric chosen for illustration in the drawing is basically a 2X l basket weave in which double picks or filling runs are jointlyinterlaced with the warp threads in the finished fabric. The fabricshown in FIG. 4 is preferably woven on a needle loom by means of aneedle which enters the shed from the selvage seen in FIG. 4. The fabricmay be woven in the following manner:

Let it be assumed that weaving has progressed from the -left toward theright, as viewed in FIG. 4, to a point immediately ahead of theinterlocking member 2a, and that the pick 7 was carried across the tapeby the needle withdrawing in an upward direction. After a change ofshed, the needle is passed through the shed so that the next pick 8 isplaced ahead of the element 2a. The conventional manner in which thefilling thread is tied to the other selvage of the tape 3 -isillustrated in FIG. 5, and the needle is withdrawn without shed changeto carry the pick 9 across the tape. Within the central portion 4 of thetape 3, the pick 9 is closely adjacent the pick 8 in the central tapeportion 4, and it is interlaced With the warp threads jointly with thepick 8 in the manner of a double pick.

In the selvage illustrated at the -top of FIG. 4, the picks S and 9 arespaced from each other to receive the interlocking element 2atherebetween. After the needle was withdrawn upwardly, as viewed in FIG.4, the shed is changed. The filling thread is looped about the `cord 1andthe outermost warp threads 1t), 11 during the next passage of theneedle when the pick 12 is insented. The `picks 7 and 12 are thusinterlaced with the warp threads of the flap 6 whereas the picks S and 9are interlaced with the warp threads of the flap 5. The upward returnmovement of the needle passes a pick 13 through the shed in the sameposition as the pick 12. The next shed change is followed by theinsertion of the pick 14 which corresponds to the pick 8 in the weaveillustrated so that a new repeat begins.

The number of picks in the aps 5, 6 is only one half of the number ofpicks in corresponding warpwise sections of the central tape portion 4.The resulting low density of the warp threads in the selvage fiaps doesnot unfavorably affect the stability of the fabric since the warpthreads are confined in a filling-wise direction in the notches betweenthe head parts 15 and the toe parts 16, 17. The latter are interposedbetween the innermost ap warp thread 18 and the outermost warp thread 19of the central tape portion 4. rThe filling members of the flaps 5, 6are held out of the notches by the toe parts 16, 17 and the head parts15. The fabric density in the gaps between the interlocking elements isrelatively high, and the warp threads of the iiaps 5, 6 are firmly heldthere by the interlaced filling members.

It will be readily appreciated from inspection of FIG. 3 that a sliderwhich engages the interlocking elements does not make contact with thetextile material which conceals a major portion of each interlockingelement. The contact pressure between the slider and the interlockingelements is concentrated during opening of the fastener on the headparts 15 of the interlocking elements which are engaged by the centraldiamond of the slider. During closing, contact pressure is concentratedon the projecting toe parts 16, 17 which are engaged by the sliderrails. fabric, such contact is made under very low pressure, and doesnot result in significant wear of the textile material.

It will be appreciated that the same results can be obtained withcorrespondingly shaped interlocking elements of non-metallic material,such as plastic elements molded on a carrier 1 by injection methods orotherwise, or integral with 'the carrier, and that the invention is not-limited to the specific weave illustrated in FIG. 4.

If it is considered necessary to have as many picks in each of the flapsas there are in the corresponding central portion 4 of the tape 3, Iemploy a needle loom equipped with two needles of which one is set tooperate in the manner described above whereas the other needle entersthe shed only to a distance corresponding to the width of the flaps 5, 6for placing additional double picks alternatingly in the fiap 5 and the-ap 6 in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 4.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosurerelates to only preferred embodiments of the invention, and that it isintended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of theinvention chosen for the purpose of the disclosure which do notconstitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention setforth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a slide fastener, in combination:

(a) a support having a plurality of elongated warp members and aplurality of elongated filling members,

(1) said support having two selvage portions elongated in a warpwisedirection and spaced from each other in the direction of elongation ofsaid filling members,

(2) the warp members of one selvage portion extending in a common plane,and

(3) the warp members of the other selvage portion constituting twogroups spaced from each other in a direction transverse to said commonplane;

(b) a carrier member elongated in said warpwise direction and interposedbetween said two groups; and

(c) a plurality of interlocking elements fastened on If the slider makesany contact with the said carrier member in longitudinally spacedrelationship,

(l) each element having a head part extending transversely of saidcarrier member, two elongated leg parts projecting from respectiveopposite end portions of said head part in a common fillingwisedirection, said leg parts lbeing spaced from each other in saidtransverse direction and having respective terminal portions remote fromsaid head part, and two toe parts respectively projecting from saidterminal portions in opposite directions,

(2) said leg parts having respective outer faces directed away from theother leg part and extending `from said head part to said toe part, andrespective inner faces opposite each other,

(3) said end portions of said head part projecting beyond the outerfaces of the associated leg parts and defining with said outer faces andsaid toe parts two lateral recesses on said element, said recessesrespectively receiving longitudinal portions of the warp members of saidtwo groups only,

(4) said carrier member being received between said inner faces, and

(5) said filling members being interlaced, in sequence, with the warpmembers of said one `selvage portion, with respective portions of thewarp members of one of said groups intermediate said elements, withrespective portions of the war-p members of the other group intermediatesaid elements, and again with the warp members of said one selvageportion, said filling members only being looped about said carriermember in contact with the same between said two groups.

2. In a slide fastener as set forth in claim 1, the lateral recesses ofconsecutively juxtaposed elements constituting two elongated rows ofaligned lateral recesses, said groups of warp members being respectivelyreceived in the recesses of a respective one of said rows and spacedfrom the recesses of the other row in said transverse direction.

3. In a slide fastener as set forth in claim 1, a plurality of saidfilling members being interposed warpwise between two longitudinallyadjacent ones of said interlocking elements.

4. In a slide `fastener as set forth in claim 1, each of said fillingmembers constituting a double pick with another filling member adjacentin a warpwise direction, the filling members of said double pick beingjointly interlaced with said warp members and jointly looped about saidcarrier member.

5. In a slide fastener as set forth in claim 4, the filling members ofsaid double pick being looped about respective portions of said carriermember spaced from one of said interlocking elements in oppositewarpwise directions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,067,734 1/ 37Silberman 24-205.1 2,168,598 8/39 Banning 24--205.13 2,380,623 7/ 45Winterhalter 24-205.16 2,567,160 9/51 Wahl 24205.l6 2,963,047 12/60Monahan 2li- 205.16 3,022,803 2/ 62 Berberieh 24-205J6 FOREIGN PATENTS1,152,073 8/ 63 Germany.

600,127 4/48 Great Britain.

DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner, BERNARD A. GELAK, Examiner`

1. IN A SLIDE FASTENER, IN COMBINATION: (A) A SUPPORT HAVING A PLURALITYOF ELONGATED WARP MEMBERS AND A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED FILLING MEMBERS,(1) SAID SUPPORT HAVING TWO SELVAGE PORTIONS ELONGATED IN A WARPWISEDIRECTION AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER IN THE DIRECTION OF ELONGATION OFSAID FILLING MEMBERS, (2) THE WARP MEMBERS OF ONE SELVAGE PORTIONEXTENDING IN A COMMON PLANE, AND (3) THE WARP MEMBERS OF THE OTHERSELVAGE PORTION CONSTITUTING TWO GROUPS SPACED FROM EACH OTHER IN ADIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO SAID COMMON PLANE; (B) A CARRIER MEMBERELONGATED IN SAID WARPWISE DIRECTION AND INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID TWOGROUPS; AND (C) A PLURALITY OF INTERLOCKING ELEMENTS FASTENED ON SAIDCARRIER MEMBER IN LONGITUDINALLY SPACED RELATIONSHIP, (1) EACH ELEMENTHAVING A HEAD PART EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID CARRIER MEMBER, TWOELONGATED LEG PARTS PROJECTING FROM RESPECTIVE OPPOSITE END PORTIONS OFSAID HEAD PART IN A COMMON FILLINGWISE DIRECTION, SAID LEG PARTS BEINGSPACED FROM EACH OTHER IN SAID TRANSVERSE DIRECTION AND HAVINGRESPECTIVE TERMINAL PORTIONS REMOTE FROM SAID HEAD PART, AND TWO TOEPARTS RESPECTIVELY PROJECTING FROM SAID TERMINAL PORTIONS IN OPPOSITEDIRECTIONS, (2) SAID LEG PARTS HAVING RESPECTIVE OUTER FACES DIRECTEDAWAY FROM THE OTHER LEG PART AND EXTENDING FROM SAID HEAD PART TO SAIDTOE PART, AND RESPECTIVE INNER FACES OPPOSITE EACH OTHER, (3) SAID ENDPORTIONS OF SAID HEAD PART PROJECTING BEYOND THE OUTER FACES OF THEASSOCIATED LEG PARTS AND DEFINING WITH SAID OUTER FACES AND SAID TOEPARTS TWO LATERAL RECESSES ON SAID ELEMENT, SAID RECESSES RESPECTIVELYRECEIVING LONGITUDINAL PORTIONS OF THE WARP MEMBERS OF SAID TWO GROUPSONLY, (4) SAID CARRIER MEMBER BEING RECEIVED BETWEEN SAID INNER FACES,AND (5) SAID FILLING MEMBERS BEING INTERLACED, IN SEQUENCE, WITH THEWARP MEMBERS OF SAID ONE SELVAGE PORTION, WITH RESPECTIVE PORTIONS OFTHE WARP MEMBERS OF ONE OF SAID GROUPS INTERMEDIATE SAID ELEMENTS, WITHRESPECTIVE PORTIONS OF THE WARP MEMBERS OF THE OTHER GROUP INTERMEDIATESAID ELEMENTS, AND AGAIN WITH THE WARP MEMBERS OF SAID ONE SELVAGEPORTION, SAID FILLING MEMBERS ONLY BEING LOOPED ABOUT SAID CARRIERMEMBER IN CONTACT WITH THE SAME BETWEEN SAID TWO GROUPS.